While January is typically a long month after the Christmas and New Year celebrations have ended, the Southern Group has again demonstrated why they are one of the most active regional writers groups.
In the first month of 2025, the members kick-started the year with a mass of new content and the usual mix of amusing and thoroughly informative social media posts, which may have included an occasional rant or two.
2025 Mazda CX-80 review: flagship-worthy style, tech, and smoothness
Now sit back, relax, and read on for the highlights of what the SGMW members got up to last month.
Car launch watch: New M3 CS Touring arrives with less weight, more power, and the updated Tesla Model Y gets an indicator stalk
The array of new car reveals last month raised one important question: can you really have one car for everything? BMW certainly thinks so with its new M3 CS Touring. It weighs 15kg less and gets more power with 542bhp going to all four wheels (19bhp up on the standard car), which helps it to 186mph flat out. Other go-faster goodies include carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bodywork, lots of CS badges, stripes, and forged alloy wheels. Production numbers will be limited, and if you want one, it’ll cost you £120,600, which is £32,655 more than the standard model. Blimey.
BMW also revealed the refreshed iX electric SUV. Which still has the same imposing looks, but with a few tweaks. Every model gets more power, improved efficiency, and an updated name to match.
In China, the new updated 2025 Tesla Model Y broke cover. Changes include a new Cybertruck inspired front end with a similar-looking light bar, a revised rear with a full-width tail light cluster, and a much-improved interior with the addition of an indicator stalk. The exterior tweaks are not just for show either, as they give the Model Y improved aero efficiency, adding over 20 miles of range over the outgoing model.
Finally, in cars you cannot buy, the Audi Q6 e-tron Off-Road concept arrived with an array of off-road parts. It sits 160mm higher than the standard model and has a 250mm wider track, making it perfect for serious off-roading. Not to be outdone, Genesis revealed their own take on a dedicated off-roader with the GV60 MIV Concept. A modified version of its premium SUV with snow tracks. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Simon Branney has quickly commandeered the GV60 MIV for his winter commute.
Test drive watch: New Grande Panda impresses, and the family SUV continues to dominate
Journos managed to get behind the wheel of the new Fiat Grande Panda. What did they think? Well, the news is good with the all-new model receiving an array of praise from all sections of the automotive media.
The updated Ford Puma was also put to the test, with the regular model receiving strong praise. However, the Puma ST, a model that’s well liked by the SGMW membership, fared less well. It’s now powered by a 1.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 170PS (from 200PS with the old 1.5-litre), and it’s now automatic only. Why? Because of emissions. With the radical changes leaving one reviewer to describe it as a shadow of its former self. Ouch indeed.
Large SUVs also fared well last month, with the rugged-looking KGM Actyon proving to be rather good, and the Mazda CX-80 winning praise for its tech, comfort, and torquey 3.3-litre diesel engine. And the latter is not a misprint; you can buy a new diesel engine in a new car in 2025.
SGMW web watch:
Ford Explorer review – Maxine Ashford
Does the second coming of the Ford Explorer mark a return to form for the brand? Maxine Ashford puts Ford’s latest reborn electric model name to the test to find out if it matches up to its historic nameplate.
Read the Car Journo review here
One car stolen every 8.5 minutes in 2024 – Natalie Middleton
With car thefts at an all-time high in recent years, has the trend continued for last year? Natalie Middleton breaks down the numbers for Fleet World.
Read the Fleet World article here
Maxus eDeliver 5 review – Phil Huff
The Maxus eDeliver 5 is the latest electric van on the market, but is it really a rival to models offered by legacy brands? Phil Huff reviews the new eDeliver 5 for What Car?
Read the What Car? Review here
Incredible Series 1 Land Rover hoard! – Matt Richardson
In his latest video, Matt Richardson visits a Land Rover hoarder to take a look through his fantastic collection.
SGMW social watch:
Despite Lewis Hamilton breaking the internet last month by standing in front of an old Ferrari, Stu Bird thought there was room for improvement.
In an unnamed car park, Shane Wilkinson abandons his shopping plans to take photos of a rather lovely but battered Nissan Micra K10.
For your enjoyment: a truly heroic Nissan Micra K10. pic.twitter.com/foo6Hf1qhc
— Shane Wilkinson (@WilkiWheels) January 28, 2025
The new Kia EV3 is regarded as a benchmark for the small SUV sector. So much so that Tim Pitt wrote a trio of reviews of it.
‘The EV3 doesn’t occupy any more of your brain’s bandwidth than it needs to. It calmly and competently gets on with the job.’
— Tim Pitt (@timpitt100) January 25, 2025
Read my Kia EV3 review – now live on:
– Motoring Research: https://t.co/NnZcav1juX
– MSN: https://t.co/xCSHd878TX
– City AM: https://t.co/lomfGoDrOM pic.twitter.com/RYE54Co4YD
Chris Rees breaks the news that in Japan, a company will convert a Nissan Micra K11 into an Austin A35. Word has it that Chris was booking a flight to Japan minutes after posting this tweet.
A company in Japan called Goodwoodpark will turn your Nissan Micra K11 into an Austin A35 lookalike called the Ministar. Aaah! pic.twitter.com/4v8LGEDGge
— Chris Rees (@quillerrees) January 20, 2025
Peter Nunn reports from the January Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage. Where the weather was best described as being ‘terrible,’ but the cars were great.
